Let’s call it the NBA Solstice. On Monday, NBA teams will convene at their training facilities, marking the transition from the final day of the offseason to the commencement of the preseason!
Each team enters this season with distinct objectives, whether it’s the Boston Celtics aiming for a second consecutive championship or the Brooklyn Nets striving to effectively initiate their postponed rebuilding phase.
The summer for Brooklyn was eventful, featuring two significant franchise-altering trades on the very same night, a complete overhaul of the coaching staff and philosophies, and the realization that their strategy of competing while rebuilding was failing. When partial measures prove ineffective, it’s expected that full measures will follow suit.
With Media Day kicking off on Monday morning and the first official practice happening on Tuesday in Brooklyn, followed by a cross-country trip to San Diego on Thursday, the anticipation builds. A week from Monday, they face the Los Angeles Clippers in a preseason game at the Clips’ new G League arena in San Diego.
This week will raise many questions, including: What is Ben Simmons’ status? How soon can we expect Bojan Bogdanovic to fully engage with HSS? Is Dariq Whitehead finally past his foot and leg injuries that limited him to just two games last season? And are the early positive assessments of young talents Noah Clowney and Ziaire Williams realistic? What about Yongxi “Jacky” Cui? How much playing time will he receive in Brooklyn … and Long Island?
Perhaps the most pressing question is: Will the Nets perform poorly enough to secure a chance at landing Cooper Flagg next June? Patience will be essential as the team navigates through 82 games. The offseason may be concluding, but the true excitement is just beginning.
Welcome, Jacky
“I declare the end of my 20-year journey as a Rockets fan, and my first home team will be the Nets!” This was the headline earlier this month on the Chinese fan blog hupu.com, posted by fan JR0989347674.
This reaction has been typical across various Chinese social media platforms since the announcement that the Nets have signed the 21-year-old, 6’8” guard to a two-year, two-way contract, marking a significant return for Chinese players to the NBA after a six-year hiatus. The Nets have already been one of the three most popular NBA teams in China for the last couple of years, partly due to the legacy of the “Big Three,” who enjoy considerable popularity in China.
It remains uncertain how well Cui will perform in the NBA or G League. However, this does not hold critical importance as the Nets are unlikely to contend this season. They have time—one reason behind Cui’s two-way contract extending into a second year.
More importantly, Chinese fans are reveling in the return of one of their own to the league.
The Nets organization is capitalizing on this excitement by making Cui accessible to numerous Chinese media outlets, ranging from the South China Morning Post (whose chairman is Joe Tsai) to Xinhua, the official state news agency, as well as popular social media platforms like Hupu and Weibo.
Cui, who has played in the Chinese Basketball Association and for the Chinese national team, has approached his new role with immense humility. He seldom discusses his own abilities and emphasizes to his fans that the path to the NBA is long and uncertain.
“First and foremost, I am eager to enhance my skills in the development league; I hope to impress some people,” Cui stated during a recent interview.
During an online interview with Chinese media a week ago, Cui shared his aspirations.
“I will strive for an opportunity to earn a call-up to the NBA. I’m excited, yet I recognize the challenges ahead and realize I have considerable ground to cover. I also expect to see more young players from my generation in China attempting to pursue opportunities abroad,” Cui remarked, emphasizing another significant point in his discussion: the potential benefits that NBA experience could bring to Chinese basketball, which has encountered difficulties following the retirements of prominent players like Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian.
“This is crucial to elevate the national team as a whole, giving us a fighting chance to qualify for the Olympics through the next World Cup,” he stated. In fact, the “we” Cui frequently referenced during the interviews pertained more to the Chinese national team than to the Nets. It’s important to consider the context. Cui even mentioned to his fans that he is uncertain about his performance in the NBA.
“I have a positive mindset. I don’t know how long I will play here, but I trust that the longer I stay, the more I will be able to improve and contribute to both myself and the Chinese national team,” Cui said, underlining his commitment to hard work and his sense of patriotism.
“Exceptional players like Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian appear once in a century; however, players like myself who possess some talent must depend on diligence, progressing step by step,” he told the media. “It’s a difficult journey, but if I can achieve success, it could inspire others with similar talents to realize that they, too, can succeed.”
He cautioned his fans not to expect him to take on a leading role.
“You must excel in your specific skills on the court. As a young player, you can’t assume you’ll compete for ball control like the starters,” he explained. “When the primary players drive and pass the ball, you need to capitalize on those opportunities and make your shot. If you can’t do that, they won’t trust you with the ball moving forward.” Cui elaborated, “Focus and execution are key.”
Cui also shared anecdotes from his initial weeks training with the Nets at HSS, highlighting how Ben Simmons and Dennis Schroder have played significant roles in his adjustment… and how he intends to reciprocate his teammates’ support.
When a social media host inquired about any advice he received from the veteran point guards, he mentioned that Simmons encouraged him to focus on driving towards the basket more.
The host then suggested that while Cui should indeed learn playmaking techniques from Simmons, he should refrain from mimicking Simmons’ offensive style, hinting at his shooting deficiencies. Cui quickly replied, “You can’t insult my teammate like that,” while making a playful expression. (Reports from HSS indicate that Simmons and Cui have forged a bond, with Simmons assisting him not only with his game but also in navigating life in the U.S.)
Simmons isn’t the sole NBA player on whom Cui has relied for guidance. He revealed to Chinese media that he had trained with Jeremy Lin in the U.S. over the summer, as they share the same agent.
Cui mentioned that Lin advised him about the importance of maintaining mental toughness and assertiveness as an Asian player in the NBA, particularly during practices.
(Cui was also teammates with Golden State Warriors player Kyle Anderson on the Chinese national team during the FIBA World Cup last year. Cui’s great-grandfather was Chinese. Anderson expressed support for Cui by retweeting the Nets’ announcement of his signing, commenting, “Hot pot on you, Jacky Cui.”)
When questioned about finances, Cui was asked if signing the two-way deal would result in a pay cut. As the most esteemed and popular young player in the CBA, a starter for the national team, and the Rookie of the Year two years ago, he could have earned as much as $850,000—50% more than his current NBA two-way contract of $578,500.
“That was never a consideration for me,” Cui stated. “Playing at such a high level is what matters most. Money has never been a concern. My focus is solely on improving my game to meet NBA standards, starting with the G League.”
“Every game is a learning opportunity against the best players worldwide, keeping your composure when opponents trash talk, and adjusting to the team culture.”
Regarding his professional goals, Cui mentioned that he envisions himself as a modern NBA player.
“This is the age of ‘small ball,’ where traditional positions have become less rigid. A player must be adaptable and capable of fulfilling various roles,” Cui elaborated. “Currently, the trend is to have five smaller players on the court, playing a fast-paced style of basketball. My goal in the NBA is to excel as a ‘3-and-D’ player. If I succeed in that capacity, I’ll have more chances to grow.”
However, he acknowledged that there are skills he must develop to achieve success.
“I need to enhance my physical condition first, while my shooting accuracy is still being refined. Regarding finishing, I must persist in my training and focus on rhythm, as well as combining speed and control,” he admitted, adding, “It’s quite challenging for me.”
He also recognized that the “D” aspect of “3-and-D” is the more complex component.
“I know I excel in defense and one-on-one situations, but offensively, I don’t have a defined role, which means I have fewer chances to demonstrate my abilities.”
Cui reflected on his first NBA experience—a three-game stint in the Summer League with the Trail Blazers—as an eye-opening transition from the CBA.
Commenting on the disparities between the NBA summer league and the CBA, Cui remarked, “In the NBA summer league, players exert 200% effort to challenge you, consistently moving, passing the ball, and their breakthroughs and ball distribution happen at lightning speed. You can’t afford to relax for a single moment.”
“The differences in running speed, stamina, and various technical skills are significant. Just a year ago, I was in Los Angeles undergoing their type of training, but when it comes to performing technical moves under defensive pressure, I’m still not at their level,” Cui explained.
Cui expressed his desire to improve in those areas. On a personally touching note, he asked the writers and producers for some understanding during his journey.
“If I perform well, please don’t praise me too much, and if I don’t, kindly refrain from being quick to criticize.”
Cui also praised his sister, a well-known basketball player in China, stating she is “more talented” than he was at her age.
“Her dribbling skills far surpass what I had as a child,” Cui remarked. “She is also quite tall, taller than many of her peers. I believe she truly deserves quality training.”
<h2 id="
Final Note … really
Six months have passed since the Nets packed their bags and either returned home or headed to Cancun, and now they are back. As mentioned earlier, it was a newsworthy time in Brooklyn, but it wasn’t chaos. The Nets ultimately abandoned one plan and embraced another. The Tsai family sold 15% of BSE, which includes the Nets and Liberty, for $686 million.
Regardless of whether you agree with the decision to rebuild, or “tank,” the return thus far has been positive. They received five future first-round picks, nearly all of which are unprotected; an unprotected first-round swap; an unprotected second-round pick; and three players, one of whom was quickly turned into another second-round pick, a former lottery selection with potential. Additionally, they obtained a trade exception worth $23.3 million in exchange for a player who has never made an All-Star team. that’s quite impressive. Acquiring control of their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks back from Houston came at a higher cost, but one trade made the other more valuable.
Of course, no one has ever questioned Sean Marks’ performance in the draft, in managing salary dumps, or in player development. He also has a solid track record for recruiting superstars. Yet, the next phase still requires, um, refinement. It will take time before we can determine if Marks’ second rebuilding effort will prove to be more successful. However, what we can state after these initial steps is that, so far, so good.
Xxxx
Cui aspires that his path to the NBA will motivate other talented Chinese players.
“Cui remarked.
xxxx
“I’m only at the beginning of my journey to compete in this league, and there is still a long road ahead.”
“I must begin in the development league, honing my skills and gaining experience,” Cui explained. “Only then can I gradually move to the NBA bench and possibly earn a spot in the NBA rotation. I’m uncertain how far I will progress, but first and foremost, I need to take each step effectively; I believe that’s the key.”
Cui, who participated in the NBA Elite Programme-China Training Camp in 2018, attended a global camp in Canberra in 2019, and was involved in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend,
cxxxx
xxxx.
“First and foremost, I look forward to enhancing my skills in the development league, and hopefully I’ll attract some attention,” Cui, a starter for the Chinese national team at last summer’s FIBA World Cup, stated during an online interview with Chinese media on Saturday.
“From there, I will strive for a chance to receive an NBA call-up. I am excited, but I’m aware of the gap that needs to be bridged, and I have much to catch up on.
“I also anticipate that more young players my age from China will venture abroad to pursue opportunities at the next level.
“This is crucial for collectively elevating the standard of our national team, giving us a better chance of qualifying for the Olympics through the next World Cup,” Cui expressed.
As one of CBA’s most coveted up-and-coming talents, Cui could have expected to secure a maximum contract worth 6 million yuan (over $850,000) annually had he opted to remain in the domestic league.
cxxxc
I would like to express my gratitude to my family, Coach Guo, the Long-Lions Club, and everyone.
I want to express my gratitude for the support and care I’ve received this summer. Joining the Brooklyn Nets marks an exciting new chapter in my life. It feels like a dream come true, and I am thrilled to have the chance to represent China on the biggest stage in global basketball.
NBA Preseason Kicks Off: Brooklyn Nets’ New Chapter and Jacky Cui’s Journey in the League
The NBA preseason is a thrilling time for basketball fans, as teams begin to unveil their rosters and strategies for the upcoming season. The Brooklyn Nets, in particular, are set to embark on a new chapter, one that promises excitement and potential. Moreover, the journey of Jacky Cui, a rising star in the league, adds another layer of intrigue to this year’s preseason. In this article, we will explore the Nets’ new direction, Jacky Cui’s impact on the team, and what fans can expect as the preseason unfolds.
Brooklyn Nets’ New Chapter
With significant roster changes and new coaching strategies, the Brooklyn Nets are determined to make a statement in the upcoming NBA season. Here are some key aspects of their new chapter:
Roster Changes
- New Additions: The Nets have welcomed several key players through trades and free agency, aiming to bolster their lineup.
- Coaching Staff: A revamped coaching team brings fresh perspectives and innovative strategies that could enhance team performance.
- Player Development: Emphasis on developing young talent is a major focus this season, particularly with promising prospects like Jacky Cui.
Team Goals for the Preseason
The Brooklyn Nets have set clear goals for the preseason, which include:
- Establishing team chemistry among new players.
- Testing different lineups to find the best combinations.
- Improving defensive strategies to compete effectively in the league.
Jacky Cui’s Journey in the NBA
Jacky Cui, a name that has been gaining traction in basketball circles, is a player to watch this preseason. His journey to the NBA has been nothing short of inspiring. Here’s a closer look at his path:
Background
Born in China, Jacky Cui showcased his incredible talent at a young age, playing in local leagues and catching the attention of scouts. His hard work and dedication led him to pursue a professional basketball career, eventually landing him a spot in the NBA.
Impact on the Nets
As a versatile guard, Cui brings a unique skill set to the Brooklyn Nets. His strengths include:
- Strong three-point shooting ability, enhancing the team’s spacing.
- Defensive tenacity that bolsters the Nets’ perimeter defense.
- Playmaking skills that contribute to team offense and ball movement.
Preseason Performance Expectations
During the preseason, fans can expect Jacky Cui to:
- Showcase his scoring ability in exhibition games.
- Build chemistry with existing players, particularly the team’s stars.
- Demonstrate his readiness for significant playing time in the regular season.
Benefits of Preseason for Teams and Players
The NBA preseason is crucial for both teams and players, offering several benefits:
Team Benefits
- Strategy Implementation: Coaches can test new plays and strategies in a low-stakes environment.
- Evaluating Talent: Teams can assess the strengths and weaknesses of their roster through competitive play.
- Building Team Chemistry: Players have the opportunity to bond and develop on-court chemistry.
Player Benefits
- Showcasing Skills: Players like Jacky Cui can demonstrate their abilities and earn more playing time.
- Conditioning: Preseason games help players get back into game shape after the offseason.
- Learning Experience: Young players gain invaluable experience that can serve them throughout the season.
Case Studies and First-Hand Experiences
Reflecting on past NBA preseasons can provide insights into the challenges and triumphs teams face:
Case Study: 2019-2020 Season
The Los Angeles Lakers entered the preseason with a new roster following significant changes. They used this time to establish chemistry between LeBron James and Anthony Davis, leading to a strong regular season and ultimately, an NBA Championship.
First-Hand Experience: Jacky Cui’s Preseason
Jacky Cui has expressed his excitement for the upcoming preseason. He stated, “I’m looking forward to proving myself and working with my teammates. Every game is a chance to get better, and I want to make a positive impact on the Nets.” His determination is evident as he prepares for the challenges ahead.
Brooklyn Nets Preseason Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 5, 2023 | Miami Heat | Barkley Center | 7:30 PM |
| October 8, 2023 | Philadelphia 76ers | Wells Fargo Center | 6:00 PM |
| October 12, 2023 | Boston Celtics | Barkley Center | 7:30 PM |
| October 15, 2023 | Toronto Raptors | Scotiabank Arena | 7:00 PM |
Practical Tips for Fans During the Preseason
As the NBA preseason kicks off, fans can enhance their experience by following these practical tips:
- Watch Live Games: Attend games or watch online to get a firsthand look at team dynamics.
- Engage on Social Media: Follow the Nets and players like Jacky Cui on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
- Participate in Fan Events: Join fan events and meetups to connect with other fans and support the team.
Final Notes on the Preseason
The NBA preseason provides an exciting glimpse into the future of basketball, especially for teams like the Brooklyn Nets and players like Jacky Cui. As fans, staying informed and engaged during this time can deepen your connection to the game and the players you support. Keep an eye on the Nets as they navigate through this pivotal period, and be ready for a season full of potential and excitement.
